Yes... indeed! The marriage I have now with my LaoPo, all started back in July '07. The time, I first saw the "12 Girl Band" perform in front of the Pearl Tower in Shanghai (China) on PBS channel at home.
I still want/need to give "Thanks" to each one of them in Person the first chance I'll get. Having seen them perform live at the Anaheim Grove in Oct. '07, Qing and I are desperately awaiting for them to have another Concert in the US (hopefully in the Los Angeles area). Personally, I would travel a 1000 miles to see them again. Just so Qing and I can finally thank them for guideing me towards Shanghai, for what actually was to be in honor of my late Wife (Nancy) and not to look to get married again.
This is how wonderful Life/Love can be, it comes unexpected and knocks on your door... if your ready or not! I certainly wasn't ready, but I wasn't about to let a given blessing slip away!
We both know what we've been given, we "Cherish it"- we're "Thankful for it"- we let it "Grow with each day"!
Finishing up the Skywalk part of the trip, it was back to Hwy 93 on the way to Hoover Dam. Again, not the first time for me, but it's been many years that I've been there. Figure, need to stop and show "Our" great Dam (they do have great ones in China) which holds back the very River that made the Grand Canyon what it is today. What I have forgot to write about, was that going to the Skywalk... there was still an Un-paved road to master of 20+ miles. This meant, we'd be doing this ones more the other way. "Good Grief"! Not as wild as the Pink Jeep Tour, but not that much different. Except the Mountain/Cliff's of course.
We got to the Dam around 5:30pm and let me tell you. It wasn't the Dam that left us breathless, it was the "Heat" ones getting out of the car. No wonder, the Lake was the lowest I've ever seen it. Dozens of feet from having or be even near an Over-run. Asking a cleaning Lady, why that is... she reply'd with " Been that low for the last ten (10) years"! Wow, made me feel kind of quilty.. because us in Southern Calif. use a lot of their water from this River.
Being able to tolerate this intense Heat for only a short time, we'd started thinking Las Vegas and a good Buffet for dinner. Coming closer to Sin City, we noticed that in the not so far away Mountains.. there was a huge Fire burning at the time. Judging by the smoke cloud, it must of burned for some time if not days.
I got off the Freeway at Las Vegas Blvd., to show Qing the "Strip" before looking where to eat. It was still light out, so it made less of an impact.. but that would change ones we finished eating. She'll see it in all it's glory at night.
After attacking the Buffet and filling the Gas Tank, it was off to the last leg of a long day's drive. It was now 9:45pm and my guess when we'd be home, was about 01:00am. Well, I was close.. we arrived home 01:20am on Tuesday. Just enough time to get a couple hours of sleep before going to work at 07:00am. As with any Trip/Vacation, it's always good to come/be home again!
Next planned Trip.. "Yosemite Nat. Park"!
Monday, last day of Trip. It will be a long drive home, but not until' a full day's of excitement that is planned ahead.
First, well you know by now... Eating Breakfast. We set out to be leaving our Hotel around 8:00am, this did not happen of course. While waiting in the car ready to go, my better half had a last pit stop. So I thought! Waiting for 20 minutes and testing my patience, she finally came out of our room. "Sorry"! I had to clean and dry my shoes, had some dirt on them from yesterday. Anybody married to a Chinese Woman knows exactly why this "Shoe" issue is of such importance.
On the last day's schedule; 1st: West Grand Canyon with "Skywalk", 2nd: Hoover Dam, 3rd: Las Vegas (for dinner). My LaoPo by the way, hates Las Vegas! Not because we didn't have a good time while we were there, no... it's because all the Chinese Men love Gambling and she has not good memories in her earlier Life from it.
Let's begin with arriving at the Skywalk, something I have seen many times in Commercials and News Papers over the six (6) years it's open. Having parked the car, there came Surprise #1. You can not just walk up to the Skywalk-pay and get on. No, first you must buy a Package (choice of 3).. only then can you "Add" the Skywalk experience. Why? Well, because they have it set up that you have to get on a Bus and be driven there (first of three stops). The cheapest package is $40 plus if you want to walk the Skywalk, another $30 for each Person. Surprise #2. No Cell Phone/Camera's/I-Pad's, in other words.. nothing so "You" can take your own Photo's on the Walk. Of course they gladly take take your Photo for you, haha.. for $30 for a single one. Those Indians (Natives) that run the place are making more then the ones running a Casino.
After catching our breath from the shock, we did have a super time anyway. In my honest opinion, this part of the Grand Canyon is even more beautiful and definitely more dangerous. 4000 foot drops straight down with "No" guardrails. "How close can you go"? Not, how low!
This place is worth the long drive/admission price for sure, if you haven't been here.. it's a must.
to be continued....
Sunday morning arrived and a new schedule for today, was a Trip south this time from Flagstaff. Through Oak Creek Canyon and down to Sedona.
First came the "stuffing" of our Faces ones more, before anybody had any interest going anywhere... haha.
This was to be a lot shorter drive today, about one hour and fifteen minutes at most. It wasn't straight from point "A" to point "B" though. First stop was the famous "Rock Slide" Park, where People gather to have fun/play in the Mountain Creek of Oak Creek Canyon. This is what People do, when there is no Beach nearby. Like every Park nowadays, it costs $$ to get in and this was no different. $20 per car (up to four People) or $3 more for each additional Person. I'm glad they only get you "Coming" and not both ways.... yet.
This stop wasn't without surprises though. Happy as can be the day before, Mr. Son (Tianchi) all of a sudden had a "Hyde" moment. How and why, Qing and I had not the slightest idea.. I think "He" didn't even know (see photo).
While Qing try'd to change his mood (which did not work), I was not to have my time ruined in this wonderful place. I let them (chinese Women don't care if in Public under a lot of People) straighten things out, with Qings voice three notches higher than normal. Moved down to where everybody was jumping from the rocks into the flowing water below. After a while, I was almost ready to take off my shoes/socks/shirt and join them. Had second thoughts though and when I told Qing of this, she said.. quote "But you will get wet"! We are not prepared for swimming! Hahaha... in this hot weather, I would have been dry in 10-15 min. You must understand my Sweetheart though, she runs for cover if she feels "One" drop from above.
We'd spend about two hours in the Park, as we needed to be in Sedona by 2:30pm for our "Pink Jeep Tour". I had made reservations for the 3 hour Tour, into the Cliff's of the famous red rocks surrounding Sedona. Now, I have no need to tell you.. that Mr. "Hyde" turned back to normal, ones seated in the Jeep and ready for a 4X4 Tour of a Life time.
So instead of walking near the "edge" by a Canyon, we did it in a car this time. Three of us put our Life's in the nice driver (John) hand, so what can go wrong? Going up/down nearly 45 deg. and driving circles on top of a mountain peak, with only inches to spare. All lean to the left he (John) tells us, otherwise the Jeep might slide too far to the right...! What if it does? Ooops.. that's what! While we are all leaning left, this (crazy) Guy spins "Donuts" on the top of the red rocks over-looking Sedona. I was a little worried, I wasn't getting my 3 hours I've paid for here.
Actually, this was the most "Fun" I've had in a long-long time. My better half and (smilling by now) Son also had a blast. I would certainly recommend this Tour to other's, if ever in the area.
On the way back to the Jeep depot, I'd ask John for a good place to eat dinner? He showed us a Restaurant in town, that sat right along the Oak Creek with a wonderful view no less. I must mention the Ahi Tuna Burger, it was Mouth watering good. I try'd to remember the name, but I'm getting old and can't for my Life think of the name now.
So comes another Fun-filled day to an end and back to our Hotel ones more. Monday's schedule, see the Skywalk (west end of the Grand Canyon)- Hoover Dam- Las Vegas (for dinner) and home.
to be continued....
Second day of Trip started with a very nice Breakfast, that came with the price of the Hotel. So we took advantage of having a "Hot" (Egg's-Saugage-Waffle's) early Meal to get us on our way. Destination... Grand Canyon south Rim and desert View, plus a short hike down the Bright Angel Trail. The latter, shortened by an afternoon thunder shower. The showers isn't what stopped us from going deeper into the Canyon, but the strong wind and the sand slowly turning into mud did. Not something you feel comfortable with, considering there is a 2000+ feet drop next to you only a couple feet away.
Me myself have been to the Canyon many times before, but for Qing and Tianchi it was of course special. What made it more interesting, is the fact.. you don't see anything before you actually only a few yards from the Rim itself. I, of course enjoyed the look on faces, wondering where and when are we there?
Having parked the Car and a short little walk, it was "Whoola"... there it is! The first thing out of their mouth's, was nothing other then... WOW! What shocked me later, was that both of them seemed to have little worry of getting too close near the edge for a Photo shoot. It made me more nervous worrying about them, than I was about my own safety. I also noticed that other People sure are brave standing on rocks near the Rim without railings whatsoever. I guess at my age now, I've turned either... "Smarter" or in to a "Chicken"?
It was an exciting day by all means, but being almost 6:00pm.. it was time to think about going back to Flagstaff and find a place to eat dinner. We did find a great Restaurant (Buster's) where we enjoyed Scallops/Crab cakes/Chicken florentina and all was excellent.
Time to think of the next days drive to Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon/Pink Jeep Tour.
to be continued....
Our Trip started the day after the 4th of July on a very early Friday morning. We were ready to leave the House at about 04:30am, after just grabbing some Coffee to wake us somewhat before we'd see the Sun coming up. Breakfast was to be in Barstow after about an hour and a half of driving. This part was my LaoPo's task. I took the wheel (Qing wish) ones having some much needed food in our stomach's.
Down I-40, something I have done all too many times in the past.. going either to the East coast or Albuqueque to visit Family. Anyway, we arrived in Flagstaff AZ. with two hours to spare before Hotel check-in. Time for some walking, which was done through Old Town of course. The rest of the day, was just to hang around Town and the Hotel we're staying at. Get some early sleep, as tomorrow (Sat.) was more driving to be done.. the Grand Canyon as destination.
to be continued....
Qing and I were looking forward for quite some time, having this addition to our Home.
After finally choosing (that was anything but easy) which one was the "right" choice. It's 18 years old already and we don't even know if it's a Boy or a Girl?
Then again, we didn't even ask or thought about it before it arrived today. To make it comfortable, being new to our home and all.. we put "him/her/it" in our nice backyard to relax. Wanting to make it as easy as we could for the arrival.
Three People had to deliver Medty, yeah let's call it Medty. Hence it's origin is the Mediterranean region. Now it's sitting in our backyard and looks quite happy.
By now all you readers must wonder, what is this Guy talking about? I wont say any more, just add some Photo's of Medty and you'll see for yourselves....
